More cash to support would-be East Lancashire offenders

AN extra £215,000 has been secured by Lancashire’s police commissioner for an early intervention scheme being piloted in Burnley.

Clive Grunshaw’s team has successfully bid for money from the Home Office’s Police Innovation Fund to recruit nearly 30 social workers as part of the Early Action Response initiative.

New staff will work with police to safeguard young victims of family break-ups, steer would-be offenders away from criminality and prevent children running away from home.

Mr Grunshaw said: “This £215,000 will help to get the service established – and ensure we can make the best use of the £3million which the county council has so generously agreed to put in.

“The new service is an excellent opportunity to improve early intervention within the county and ensure we are helping our most vulnerable residents at the earliest opportunity and therefore preventing problems escalating in the future.”

Labour county council leader Coun Jennifer Mein welcomed the investment, which will help the three-year trial get off the ground.